Saturday, June 12, 2010

Tulika Books Blogathon

This blog post is for Tulika's Blogathon, where they're asking people to recall and write in rhymes, chants and songs they sang when they were kids:).Well, mine is one my mother used to sing to me, which she continues to sing for my daughters, and which remains a favourite with them.It is in Punjabi, and although both my daughters don't understand the Punjabi words, they enjoy the actions that accompany this song. So here goes:

Jhoote Maiyya, Amm Pakke Pakkaiyan,Meethe Meethe (child's name here) ke,Khatte Khatte (parent's/friend's/sibling's name) ke,Khatte Khatte (more peoples' names) ke, (AND THIS LINE CAN BE REPEATED AS MANY TIMES:) AS YOU WANT TO MAKE THE RHYME AS LONG AS YOU WANT!)

Boodhi Mai, Neri Aayi,Charkha Puni Chukle.

The transliteration would go somewhat like this, though I'm no expert:):

Come child and swing, There are mangoes for us to eat,Sweet ones for you, sour for everyone else.

Hey old woman, there's a storm brewing, So pick your spinning wheel and other stuff and set it aside.

The poem obviously makes the child feel special, since she/he is the favourite one being showered with the sweet mangoes, while all the others get sour ones! I remember that this was the best part of the poem...suggesting all the people who should get the 'khatta' ones!

The actions that accompany this rhyme involve the child being swung on the feet of the adult singing the song..and in the last line, the child is, like the charkha, picked high into the air!----------------------------------------------------those of you who have memories of similar poems from your childhood, do go onto the Tulika blog and put in your own posts:)